East Coast, Time Off, Where to ride?

My boss is forcing me to take time off. I've been maxed out on Paid Time Off for a year and I'm starting to get a bit of burn out and my manager said I have to take time off before our next big project starts June 1st. I already have tickets to go to the Downeast Rally in Maine next week (5-20) and between that date and May 30th, I have to take off. That's 8 days off, no plans but I have a fully up to maintenance R1200GS and camping gear.

Usually, I'd ride north to New Brunswick, Maine, Quebec but this time of year, there's no guarantee that the weather will be any good up there. So South it is! Where to go? I really don't know.

I was thinking of taking highways (non interstate) south to the start of Blue Ridge and ride that to the NC border for a couple of days then hop on the Mid-atlantic BDR at the lowest portion and ride that north to the NY border. If I still had time, camp in the Catskills / finger lakes then head home.

That's certainly one option.

Then I thought...maybe there's another fun ride I'm not thinking about and I should post here and ask. if anything, you might be able to give me a few waypoints that I could hit on the route I already had in mind.

Current Idea would be to take this Google Maps view south from Maine:



Then hop on Blue Ridge (blue) and connect to the MABDR in magenta then ride the yellow north:



Total mileage would be just over 2500 which is a very respectable 8 days.

About 3 hours SW of Johnson City, TN, is The Dragon if that's something you wanted to check off your list...or maybe get a t-shirt!!

Here’s a place to stop along the BRP. http://www.willvillebikecamp.com/
Have a great trip.

Doug

where to ride in the south

Most of East Tennesse and Western NC have endless routes. Grab yourself one of the Motorcycle Touring Maps at most bike shops or at https://www.wildrides.info/maps/
Take the Blue Ridge Parkway down. From there you can access the "Dragon" and Cherohala Skyway. The Foothills Parkway will take you to the "clevage of Dollywood aka Gatlinburg, Sevierville and Pigeon Forge. A bit touristy though.
The maps will have rides and loops with mileage and estimated time for each.

Enjoy Life
CurveDawg

tnmtnhikr said:

Most of East Tennesse and Western NC have endless routes. Grab yourself one of the Motorcycle Touring Maps at most bike shops or at https://www.wildrides.info/maps/
Take the Blue Ridge Parkway down. From there you can access the "Dragon" and Cherohala Skyway. The Foothills Parkway will take you to the "clevage of Dollywood aka Gatlinburg, Sevierville and Pigeon Forge. A bit touristy though.
The maps will have rides and loops with mileage and estimated time for each.

Enjoy Life
CurveDawg

Click to expand...

Just saw an announcement that a bridge is being replaced on the BRP, with a detour of about 10 miles. Check the current closings at https://home.nps.gov/blri/learn/news/roanoke-river-bridge-2021.htm

Enjoy the ride!